Top 10 White Wines

At Laithwaites, we taste thousands of wines each year to decide which ones to keep, and which new ones to add to our list. We also keep a close eye on your reviews and feedback, to make sure we’re picking the right styles for our customers. If a wine is getting bad reviews, we’ll re-taste and re-evaluate it. 

We also work hard to make sure our descriptions are accurate – so that you know what you’re getting when you order. It’s not in our interest to sell you a wine you don’t like!

The white wines on this list are a selection of our most popular bottles – great value whites made from the most popular grape varieties, including Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Plus, some less-well-known discoveries that we know our customers particularly love.

Because we’re always trying new wines, the whites on this list will change – do check back regularly to see our latest Top Ten Whites.

If you’re looking for specific wine recommendations, why not call 03300 242 783 talk to one of our Wine Guides? They know our range better than anyone and can recommend the perfect wine, suited to your taste, at any price point, or for any special occasion. 

If you just want to quickly find something in your price bracket – visit our menu and pick the category you’re looking for (red, white, rosé etc) at the top. You can then filter your search by price – job done.

And if it’s a gift for a special occasion you’re looking for – we’ve a huge selection, from single bottles to spirits and Champagne, and even luxury hampers. Visit our Gifts section for more.

If you’re new to white wine it can be daunting knowing what to try first. But some grapes are easier to understand than others. 

• Sauvignon Blanc is a great place to start. It’s instantly recognisable due to its leap-from-the-glass aromas and lively tropical fruit flavours – so it won’t leave you puzzling as to what you’re tasting.
• Pinot Grigio is another good white for beginners. It’s supremely easy to drink – with juicy pear fruit and no unexpected sharp or sour flavours. A great party white. 
• Chardonnay makes fruity whites, often with vanilla oak notes. If you’re a red wine drinker looking to venture into whites, Chardonnay is a great choice.

It’s easy to find a great white wine if you’re happy to splash out on an expensive bottle. But how do you get a great quality white without spending too much? Or to put it another way, how do you save money on white wine, without sacrificing quality?

Here are a few of our top tips for getting good value when buying white wine.

1. Choose the right region or country

Some countries or regions are generally good for value, including: 

Chile – blessed with easy growing conditions and a disease-free climate, Chile is a great source for good-value whites. A top source for affordable Sauvignon Blanc. 

Southern France – this large, reliably sunny region has relaxed wine-making rules and great growing conditions. For good quality Chardonnay or sparkling wine, southern France (aka the Midi) is a top choice. 

Portugal – Portugal is one of the best countries for value wine right now – both reds and whites. Alvarinho, for example, is the same grape as Spain’s rare and pricey Albariño variety – but often much better value in Portugal. 

Eastern Europe – go a little off the beaten track and you can find really great quality whites without paying too much. Our bestselling Pinot Grigio, for example, isn’t from Italy. Campanula is from Hungary – where the cool climate is very similar to the northern Italy. But land is much cheaper – and so are the wines. 

South Africa – a great choice if you want to move up the quality ladder a bit – while keeping the price steady. South African Sauvignon, for example, is a great alternative to New Zealand – just as classy, but with its own style. Also worth noting, our all-time best-selling white The Gooseberry Bush is from South Africa.   

2. Take advantage of special offers

At Laithwaites we regularly have special offers on wines. From Summer Sales and Black Friday Deals to Thank You Deals direct from our winemakers and growers.

So, to get the best value white wines, make sure you regularly check online for the latest White Wine Offers. And we also send out exclusive offers by email – so if you’re a white wine fan, we’ll likely send you unique deals on white wines you’ll love. If you haven’t already, sign up for our emails – and if you have, check your inbox for the latest deals. 

3. Look out for our secret deal wines

After 50 odd years in the wine trade, we’ve built up a formidable list of contacts. And we have buyers and wine scouts on location around the globe.

One result of this is that we often agree hush-hush deals with top wineries and prestigious cellars. It could be that they’ve been let down by a customer and quickly need to shift some stock. It might be that they need some quick cash to cover the cost of new barrels. But whatever the reason – we’re always on hand to help. They let us have a parcel of top-quality wine at a serious discount, in exchange for quick cash and total secrecy.    

Search for our Cleanskin, Illustrious, Limited Release and Selección Especial labels to find the current hush-hush deals.

With so many countries, regions and grapes to choose from, picking a good white wine can be tricky. Here are a few handy tips. 

1. Find out what you like. If you’ve ever looked at a restaurant wine list and felt overwhelmed by the options, then you’re not alone. But a little knowledge can go a long way. The best way to learn more about wine is to try it. Explore different regions and styles with one of our White Wine Mixed Cases, or sign up for one of our Wine Subscriptions – and look forward to a regular delivery of new discoveries. 
2. Read our informative guides. We have a host of entertaining and informative guides to different wine styles and regions – written by our own in-house wine experts. Grab a glass and start your journey of wine discovery. You’ll be an expert before you know it – armed with tips on how to pick the best white wine for any occasion. 
3. Read your fellow customers’ reviews. If you’re looking to pick a good white wine from our list, check the customer reviews. When hundreds or even thousands of your fellow customers have given wine a 5-star rating, you can be pretty sure it’s going to be a winner. But do check what the reviews actually say, to make sure the wine is in a style that you like! 
4. Check our current offers. Read our catalogue or check our homepage to see our latest monthly offers. We’ll often have features on white wines that are especially worth trying right now – whether it’s the latest must-taste grape or a region or producer that’s really on form right now.

Yes, we have a wide range of guides to different white wines regions and styles. Here are a few to get you started. 

• Eight Popular types of white wine
• Guide to Sauvignon Blanc
• Guide to Pinot Grigio
• Guide to Chardonnay
• Nine sweet wines to try 

Happy reading!